A skill-based educational approach at the workplace: Introducing DiMiCare Micro-Learning Units
The digital transformation and the rapid integration of new technologies are reshaping all economic sectors including the care sector. However, the care workforce has not been adequately prepared to unlock the full potential of these digital tools. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the European Health Parliament, a significant 61% of health and care professionals reported never having received specialised training in digital skills. This gap highlights the urgent need for comprehensive vocational education and support to equip home helpers and care assistants with the necessary proficiency in using digital technologies effectively within their roles.
The Erasmus+ project DiMiCare has developed a blended-learning training course along with a series of micro-learning units—a concise and accessible multimedia online resource. Micro-learning can be defined as the breaking down of large pieces of learning into smaller more manageable parts. This approach enhances comprehension and retention by presenting information in easily digestible formats.
The DimiCare micro-learning units are specifically designed to enable care professionals to engage in individual learning directly within their workplace. Both the full training course and micro-learning units will be freely accessible on the project website.
The structure of the Micro-Learning Units
The DiMiCare Micro-Learning Units consist of short videos ranging from 1 to 6 minutes each, organised into 5 key areas with 5 units per area:
- Digital services and apps to promote independence and autonomy of clients
This unit introduces the basics of digital health technologies and apps to implement care services, especially for care-dependent older people. It presents some short case studies on how health apps can concretely increase autonomy, reduce social isolation and improve their mental health, paying due attention to the privacy issues.
- Application of Communication Systems in care-setting
This unit deepens some digital communication systems in care settings with practical examples, exposing the key functions of video-conferencing tools and making some remarks on data protection and GDPR in care settings. It addresses certain digital communication challenges with a focus on the importance of adopting an inclusive language.
- XR (Extended Reality) in care
The unit explains what virtual and extended reality are, how to configure them and possible uses in the care sector, especially in the elderly care. It also exposes some minor problems that can be encountered when using these tools and some resources for finding technical support.
- Applying Smart Home Technologies in Care
This unit presents some smart home devices and their application in care, highlighting their importance in caregiving. It shows the functionalities, benefits, and possible issues related to the smart devices for care and their potential to optimise daily activities, with real-life scenarios demonstrating the use of smart devices in different caregiving situations.
- The integration of Robotics for Physical Assistance in Care
The unit describes the uses of robotics for physical assistance in the care sector, exploring different types of robotic devices. It analyses the essentials of safely integrating robotics into care settings and the related challenges, including practical examples.
In terms of structure, the Micro-Learning Units are developed considering the five moments of learning need, where each unit corresponds to a specific moment:
- New: Acquiring knowledge for the first time
- More: Expanding on existing knowledge
- Apply: Implementing acquired knowledge and skills
- Change: Adapting knowledge to emerging trends
- Solve: Addressing new problems as they arise
The Micro-learning units present real-life scenarios and concrete applications of technology to the care sector with continuous references to the DiMiCare Training Course topics. While the Course is designed for a longer and more structured learning pathway on digital skills, modelled on formal VET learning, the Micro-Learning Units are designed for an informal, autonomous, easy to comprehend learning, also to be achieved in the workplace. They are conceived to be visually appealing and based on concrete examples to provide learning that is as close as possible to everyday working scenarios.
Testing and finalisation
As part of the project's implementation strategy, the Micro-Learning Units are currently tested by a target group of 20+ care workers (EQF levels 1 and 2) and by a group of 5+teachers/trainers in each VET centres involved in the project. This pilot phase aims at collecting feedback and comments.
If you are a trainer in the care sector or have experience with digital competence training for care workers, we welcome your feedback as well. The draft micro-learning units are already accessible on our website.
Following the pilot phase, the Units will be finalised, considering the feedback received.
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